Non-Bose Center console Modification for Ipod/Itouch/Iphone

[AWGD8]

I recently, upgraded my 4 Non-Bose door speakers into a Pioneer TRD1602R. Amazon sells it for $72 a pair shipped. (Freak`n Bestbuy is selling it for $149.99 a pair ) I did not know that the housing bubble burst of 2008 also affected the speaker prices... I paid $500 back in 2008 for 4 Pioneer high end speakers installed. A week ago, I only paid $222 for 4 high end speakers installed.


http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-TSD1602R- ... +ts-d1602r

I noticed that the new speakers did not have that sound clarity that I used to hear back in 2008. In 2008, I had a Rav4 V6 with a nice Pioneer component speakers and 2 DIN Head Unit LCD installed. I could hear every details of instruments being played.

So to my dismay, I decided to load a CD and see if the sound gets better than an FM signal. The CD is better, but not as close to my 2008 audio setup. I do really feel that the Non-Bose head unit is the culprit.
So I went and grabbed my 2nd GEN Ipod touch and hooked it up to my center console RCA connector --RED/WHITE AUDIO INPUT (Yeah, I did not care for the sound when I bought the car in 2008)
Then I changed the Head Unit setting to Aux and BAM! FLASHBACK to 2008!

I was in tears since the Head Unit is a PITA (Pain In The A..) to upgrade , the IPOD is my only hope to get the most out of my $150 speakers uprgrade.

So it inspired me to make this center console modification.

So I grabbed a card board and glued some body gloves (neoprene) on top of the card board. I made 1 bigger piece to cover the Aux connector and 12V socket (Like an inverted L shape) and made 1 flat one for the ground to cover the wires. For the wires, I have an old Belkin shielded Audio RCA cable and I recently bought an IPOD 30 PIN to 12V cigarette lighter charger.

I prefer this setup than placing the Ipod on the plastic tray. My reasoning is that the tray does not give much room for the wires. Ipod connectors are notorious to get loose/broken if you keep bending the wires in a steep curve. Secondly, I have more space to put coins etc. in the tray.

Here it is, very cheap modification. (Sorry for the crappy pics. I did not have a good lighting )











With the RCA, there is no way to control the IPOD/TOUCH/IPHONE through the Head Unit except the volume. Still, better than nothing. All I have to do now is get more apple lossless audio file and load it into my iTouch then play it randomly (shuffle)

The sound is freakin` amazing coming directly to the Ipod than from the crappy Infiniti non-Bose head unit. I do not need an AMP for this setup either. There is still hope for my Non-Bose audio EX owners......

[CustomLowz]

Very nice

Like i said in the other thread, Im planning on upgrading the speakers in my '11 non-bose too. I was planning on Alpine speakers. A set of components for the front (replace the tweeter by the windshield too) and regular coax for the rear doors. Im hoping to get better sound than the factory speakers now...

[AWGD8]

Very nice

Like i said in the other thread, Im planning on upgrading the speakers in my '11 non-bose too. I was planning on Alpine speakers. A set of components for the front (replace the tweeter by the windshield too) and regular coax for the rear doors. Im hoping to get better sound than the factory speakers now...

Do you happen to know if it is easy to replace the tweeters by the side dash?
I would like to change that too, but my installer said it takes some time.

The Stock head unit is terrible, even playing a non compress CD. The Aux input is the only way to go... I could hook up my Galaxy Note 3 also and it sounds like I was in a live concert...

[CustomLowz]

Very nice

Like i said in the other thread, Im planning on upgrading the speakers in my '11 non-bose too. I was planning on Alpine speakers. A set of components for the front (replace the tweeter by the windshield too) and regular coax for the rear doors. Im hoping to get better sound than the factory speakers now...

Do you happen to know if it is easy to replace the tweeters by the side dash?
I would like to change that too, but my installer said it takes some time.

The Stock head unit is terrible, even playing a non compress CD. The Aux input is the only way to go... I could hook up my Galaxy Note 3 also and it sounds like I was in a live concert...

I looked at the FSM and it said to just pop the cover off (I will use a pick) and then I would assume that they are just bolted down. I am not sure as of yet, but I might just use the factory crossover to make the wiring easier.

[AWGD8]

Thanks! It seems pretty easy to access these 2 speakers. Are these tweeters only? What size? I think I will replace them soon!

[CustomLowz]

Thanks! It seems pretty easy to access these 2 speakers. Are these tweeters only? What size? I think I will replace them soon!

Not sure on the size, but the ones from alpine that I am thinking about should fit without a problem.

[AWGD8]

Pls. report back if you decided to go that route. Let me know also what Alpine model you are planning on getting? Thanks!

[AWGD8]

I attempted to pry that side dash tweeter cover using a small plastic crawbar look alike (Tool use for installing radio etc.) and there is now way this cover will come out. I do not want to put a dent on the dash if I have to use anything non plastic material.

The cover fits in like a glove, there is no extra mm space for the other side of the cover to move back if prying from the front.

[CustomLowz]

I attempted to pry that side dash tweeter cover using a small plastic crawbar look alike (Tool use for installing radio etc.) and there is now way this cover will come out. I do not want to put a dent on the dash if I have to use anything non plastic material.

The cover fits in like a glove, there is no extra mm space for the other side of the cover to move back if prying from the front.

Ill give it a try on mine too, and keep you updated with my results. We will get this as a team!

[AWGD8]

Just careful on the tools you use. The plastic one I used got few black residue from the black dash (gum like stuff) when I tried to pry the speaker cover. Avoid using the same tool on the A pillar side, it will stain the cloth like material on the A pillar. I dont think you can remove that stain. Good thing I only got just a tiny bit of stain.

[CustomLowz]

Just careful on the tools you use. The plastic one I used got few black residue from the black dash (gum like stuff) when I tried to pry the speaker cover. Avoid using the same tool on the A pillar side, it will stain the cloth like material on the A pillar. I dont think you can remove that stain. Good thing I only got just a tiny bit of stain.

I was first thinking of using a pick like one of these:

to see if I can make any progress. I also have some plastic wedges (from working on cell phones and small electronics) that I will try to use if needed. Plus I have other stuff laying around. Just gonna have to think out of the box alittle

[AWGD8]

No rush, I know we can do this! Nice tools you got there!

FYI, yeah the new speakers sound better the more I use it. Yeah! It needs a burn in time.

[CustomLowz]

No rush, I know we can do this! Nice tools you got there!

FYI, yeah the new speakers sound better the more I use it. Yeah! It needs a burn in time.

Awesome. Im gonna order my Alpine speakers in the next few days and try to do the install soon too

[AWGD8]

Are you installing an amplifier also? I think my next project is to complete a decent audio system. I never been into car audio , but I was crazy about headphones such as Grado, V-moda etc.

Next project is a decent Amplifier and a single subwoofer. I am not into bass, but it is good to have a balance audio system. My only issue is I do not like to carry a bass box , and my only option is cut a hole in the middle of the rear compartment wood cover and install a flushed mount subwoofer and cover it with the rubber Infiniti rear compartment all season mat. I wonder if there is a way to copy the OEM Bass speaker mounted on top of the spare tire. My car does not have that. I only have 6 speakers total.

Any ideas? 4080 enclosure ?

[CustomLowz]

Are you installing an amplifier also? I think my next project is to complete a decent audio system. I never been into car audio , but I was crazy about headphones such as Grado, V-moda etc.

Next project is a decent Amplifier and a single subwoofer. I am not into bass, but it is good to have a balance audio system. My only issue is I do not like to carry a bass box , and my only option is cut a hole in the middle of the rear compartment wood cover and install a flushed mount subwoofer and cover it with the rubber Infiniti rear compartment all season mat. I wonder if there is a way to copy the OEM Bass speaker mounted on top of the spare tire. My car does not have that. I only have 6 speakers total.

Any ideas? 4080 enclosure ?

I wanted to see how the stereo sounded after the speaker upgrade. After that, I may do a small sub in the back. I was thinking of doing a fiberglass enclosure in the spare tire (like the bose would be) and doing a flush mount 10 and a small amp. If I do a complete system, it has to be completely stealth with nothing visible.

[AWGD8]

Good news! If you have an iphone or itouch , you can actually control the ipod /itouch wirelessly using the bluetooth features. Well, I have 1 old Ipod and another old itouch. Maybe I can control from Itouch to Itouch

http://youtu.be/mmIolPu6dSI

I have an old itouch (see if this will work too) and a Galaxy Note 3

I am due for a phone upgrade and this might force me to switch to the white side. If this remote is flawless.

I have to make sure my itouch is compatible since it is old, but has wireless and bluetooth capability.

Searching Galaxy Andriod remote to itouch? Pushing my luck..

[AWGD8]

Update: So i downloaded the Tango app ($4.99) and installed it to my Ipad4 and 2nd gen Itouch. It works!

[CustomLowz]

Update: So i downloaded the Tango app ($4.99) and installed it to my Ipad4 and 2nd gen Itouch. It works!

What does the Tango app do?

[AWGD8]

Update: So i downloaded the Tango app ($4.99) and installed it to my Ipad4 and 2nd gen Itouch. It works!

What does the Tango app do?

Since my EX35 only has an RCA center console connection and a 12v power slot,
connecting an Apple Itouch as a source of audio files, there is no way of controling the itouch from the main Infiniti head unit. Only the volume can be controlled via the head unit.

If you have an iphone, itouch, ipad, ipad mini you can install an app called Tango to both devices you want to use. Make sure both devices have bluetooth capabilities. So in my situation, I have a brand new Gen 5 itouch serving as my audio storage placed inside the center console. Then I have an old Gen 2 itouch acting as a remote. From the Gen 2 itouch acting as a remote, the Tango app has the capabilities for the remote acting device to navigate all the songs etc in the center console new Gen5 itouch. It is like having the Infiniti head unit in the palm of your hand.

The plus side to this is if you already have an Iphone, this could serve as a remote control and just get a used itouch (i heard Gen5 has an excellent audio system)
as your audio file storage.

$4.99 for the app and you can use it for any Apple device with bluetooth capabilites.

Here is the tango app.

http://youtu.be/E5GuwaYY7E4

[CustomLowz]

Since my EX35 only has an RCA center console connection and a 12v power slot,
connecting an Apple Itouch as a source of audio files, there is no way of controling the itouch from the main Infiniti head unit. Only the volume can be controlled via the head unit.

If you have an iphone, itouch, ipad, ipad mini you can install an app called Tango to both devices you want to use. Make sure both devices have bluetooth capabilities. So in my situation, I have a brand new Gen 5 itouch serving as my audio storage placed inside the center console. Then I have an old Gen 2 itouch acting as a remote. From the Gen 2 itouch acting as a remote, the Tango app has the capabilities for the remote acting device to navigate all the songs etc in the center console new Gen5 itouch. It is like having the Infiniti head unit in the palm of your hand.

The plus side to this is if you already have an Iphone, this could serve as a remote control and just get a used itouch (i heard Gen5 has an excellent audio system)
as your audio file storage.

$4.99 for the app and you can use it for any Apple device with bluetooth capabilites.

Here is the tango app.

http://youtu.be/E5GuwaYY7E4

I guess thats all unneccessary for me. I have an 11 so I have the USB port and not the 3.5mm or RCA inputs.

[AWGD8]

CustomLowz , lucky you!

[CustomLowz]

CustomLowz , lucky you!

lol, the grass is always greener on the other side... I wanted to have the RCA or 3.5mm jack so I could use my satellite radio, but ended up transferring the subscription to the radio in the car instead... So I just use a flash drive for music when i wanna change things up.